efface

American  

[ih-feys] / ɪˈfeɪs /

verb (used with object)

effaced, effacing

1. to wipe out; do away with; expunge.

   to efface one's unhappy memories.

2. to rub out, erase, or obliterate (outlines, traces, inscriptions, etc.).

3. to make (oneself ) inconspicuous; withdraw (oneself ) modestly or shyly.

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efface British  

/ ɪˈfeɪs /

verb

1. to obliterate or make dim

   to efface a memory

2. to make (oneself) inconspicuous or humble through modesty, cowardice, or obsequiousness

3. to rub out (a line, drawing, etc); erase

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Other Word Forms

• effaceable adjective
• effacement noun
• effacer noun
• uneffaceable adjective
• uneffaced adjective

Etymology

Origin of efface

From the Middle French word effacer, dating back to 1480–90; ef-, face